Neal Litherland
Bio
Neal Litherland is an author, freelance blogger, and RPG designer. A regular on the Chicago convention circuit, he works in a variety of genres.
Blog: Improved Initiative and The Literary Mercenary
Stories (277/0)
How to Build Lyudmila Pavlichenko in the Pathfinder RPG
The second World War was a time of darkness and blood, where forces of authoritarian madmen committed atrocities that still seem unbelievable even in the light of the modern day. Legends were born on those battlefields. Some were shining beacons of hope and heroism in the shadow of evil, and others were grim harbingers of destruction born from the womb of war.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
What Does Cannibalism Do to Your Body?
Cannibalism is one of the most universal taboos. Frowned upon in nearly every culture around the world (even if there isn't always a law on the books to punish this very specific act), cannibals populate the worst of our ghost stories and horror movies. From Sawney Bean and his clan in the hills of Scotland, to Hannibal Lecter in Silence of The Lambs, cannibals are everywhere.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Horror
5 Tips for Playing Better Oracles
The gods work in mysterious ways, and perhaps none of those ways are more mysterious than individuals who are both blessed and cursed by the whims of the divine. Outcast as often as they are held in awe, these agents of deific power are given no choice in whether or not they wished to wield it. Some rail against the gods that cursed them, longing for the normal life they were denied. Others seek to understand the power they have been given, whether or not they wished for it.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
5 'The Purge' Movies They Should Make Next
When I first saw The Purge, I thought pretty much what everyone else thought at the time. The premise put forth in this low-budget home invasion movie was way too good to be wasted on something so forgettable. Carnivale, but with machetes... man, now that would have been something worth watching.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Horror
How to Build Tyler Durden in the 'Pathfinder' RPG
There are all kinds of rumors about Tyler Durden. They say no one knows what he looks like, because he's always having plastic surgery to change his face. Some people say he was born in a mental institution, and that he only sleeps a few hours a night. Some call him a madman, while others think he's a genius. The father of Fight Club, and the visionary behind Project Mayhem has many mouths, and seems to be everywhere at once.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
What Is the Monster in 'The Ritual'?
The Ritual is one of the best horror movies to hit Netflix in some time. Following the tale of four old college friends who take a hiking trip to Sweden, and who quickly find something strange stalking them through the ancient forests, this film combines elements of human drama, existential dread, and a creature that is utterly unlike anything we've seen in a long time.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Horror
5 Tips for Playing Better Inquisitors
There are some who serve their gods with prayers. There are others who serve them with the crash of sword on shield. But there are a select few whose deeds often go unnoticed. Done in darkness, with subtlety and guile, these servants perform the tasks that would sully others. They slip on a wolf's skin and prowl at their deity's behest. They delve deep, pass judgment, and often act as executioners of divine will.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
I Don't Really Care What Gygax Had to Say
I'd like to start this article by saying I never personally met Gary Gygax. I've talked with lots of people who knew him, and overall he seemed like a fellow who had both his merits and flaws. As a tabletop gamer, I'm grateful for his contributions to my chosen hobby/career, and I recognize that without his efforts my favorite pastime would look very different than it does today.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
5 Tips for Playing Better Summoners
The conjurer's art is the folding of worlds. They can instantly traverse impossible distances with a step, and they can open doorways between the planes with the right words, and a circle of salt. There are some, though, whose mastery of calling creatures from the furthest planes is unsurpassed. Those who can call an army to their side with the wave of a hand, and who have formed an impossible bond with an outsider. Summoners are just as feared for the powers they can command as they are envied for them, however, if you're having trouble stretching into the boundless possibilities the class offers, here are some tips worth thinking about.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
5 Reasons Jason Voorhees Is One of the Greatest Slashers
Slasher movies, much like their monsters, never seem to die. The genre's foundations were laid by films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and solidified by John Carpenter's infamous Halloween. Since those days, we've seen hundreds of masked murderers, supernatural and otherwise, be labeled as slashers. While many of their myths have faded into obscurity, there are several names that stand tall. Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Chuckie, Leatherface. But perhaps the most recognizable, and one of the most infamous among them, is the hockey-masked avatar of teenage demise Jason Voorhees.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Horror
Five Tips For Playing Better Alchemists
Purveyors of dangerous knowledge and unusual experimentation, alchemists are just as prized for their discoveries as they are feared for them. Capable of astonishing feats and causing terrifying mutations, they often find a warm (or at least enthusiastic) welcome among those who can put their talents to use.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
How To Make 'Parchment' Paper Using Tea
How many times have you wanted to give your players a physical treasure map, or copy of a crumpled note, as a prop to look at as a hook to get your them more involved in your campaign? If you're like most dungeon masters, you've probably had this urge fairly frequently. But then when you started looking up prices for parchment paper, you decided that your players didn't need authentic-looking props that badly.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Lifehack
